Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Financial Partner in Aberdeen
At City Gate Aberdeen, we have dedicated ourselves to providing comprehensive financial advisory services since 2002. Our approach begins with understanding your unique financial situation, goals, and aspirations, ensuring our advice aligns with your life plans. With over 30 years of industry experience, our team prioritises transparency, trust, and long-term client relationships. We specialise in mortgages, wealth management, and protection planning, offering tailored solutions that safeguard your future and that of your family. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our client-centric methodology, which combines cutting-edge technology with personalised guidance. As an authorised firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, we adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and compliance.Our accolades and client testimonials underscore our reputation for reliability, expertise, and exceptional service delivery. Whether you're planning for retirement, securing property, or protecting loved ones, we provide clear, jargon-free advice designed to meet your evolving needs. Our local expertise in Aberdeen ensures we understand regional financial landscapes while delivering solutions with national relevance. Through continuous review and adaptation of your financial plan, we aim to empower you to achieve financial security and peace of mind.
Services
Mortgage Advice
Wealth Management
Financial Planning
Life Assurance
Health Insurance
Retirement Planning
Equity Release
Protection Services
Estate Planning
Pension Management
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer over 30 years of combined financial advisory experience.
- Our team creates tailored financial plans aligned with personal life goals.
- We prioritise transparent communication and ethical financial practices.
- We provide access to a wide range of mortgage and investment solutions.
- Our client-focused approach ensures ongoing support and regular plan reviews.
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority
What people say
Extremely thorough
Personalised service
Critical illness coverage
Successful outcomes
Professional expertise
Services
Mortgage Advice
We offer expert guidance on residential and commercial mortgage solutions. Our advisers help clients navigate fixed-rate, tracker, and buy-to-let mortgages with access to diverse lender products. By assessing individual financial situations, we identify competitive rates and terms that match clients' property goals while ensuring affordability and long-term value.
Wealth Management
Our service focuses on preserving and growing client assets through strategic investment strategies. We address risks from taxation, inflation, and market volatility while creating diversified portfolios aligned with risk tolerance and financial objectives. This includes ISAs, investment trusts, and estate planning solutions for wealth preservation.
Life Assurance
We provide coverage solutions for financial dependents in case of unforeseen events. Options include term life policies, critical illness coverage, and family income benefit plans. Our advisers ensure clients understand policy features and select appropriate protection levels to secure loved ones' financial futures.
Retirement Planning
Our service helps clients achieve comfortable retirement lifestyles. We assess current pension provisions, recommend SIPP or personal pension options, and develop phased retirement strategies. With expertise in state pension entitlements and tax-efficient income drawdown, we ensure comprehensive retirement income planning.
Equity Release
Designed for homeowners over 55 seeking to unlock property equity, we offer tailored lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. Our advisers explain financial implications, interest rate structures, and how these products affect inheritance planning while ensuring alignment with clients' long-term care and financial needs.
People
Alan Johnston
Director
With over 30 years in financial services, Alan established City Gate Aberdeen in 2002. He specialises in holistic financial planning, combining mortgage expertise with wealth management strategies to deliver comprehensive client solutions.
Gregor Milne
Mortgage & Protection Adviser
Gregor focuses on understanding client circumstances to recommend suitable mortgage and protection products. His approach emphasizes building long-term relationships through transparent advice and ongoing support throughout clients' financial journeys.
Rachel Wood
Financial Adviser
Rachel specialises in creating financial plans that align with clients' life aspirations. She combines technical expertise with empathetic guidance to help clients achieve financial confidence and security for their future.
Caroline Sutherland
Personal Assistant to Alan Johnston
With over 20 years in financial services, Caroline provides essential administrative support. Her extensive experience ensures efficient client communication and seamless coordination of advisory services for Alan's clients.
Karen Walker
Client Asset Administrator
Karen brings 16 years of banking experience, including five years as a mortgage advisor. She manages client documentation and asset records with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate information management.
Questions
What financial services do you specialise in?
We specialise in mortgages, wealth management, retirement planning, life assurance, and equity release solutions tailored to individual client needs.
How do you create financial plans?
We begin by understanding your current situation, then develop custom strategies addressing property, protection, and wealth goals with regular plan reviews.
Are your mortgage advisors qualified?
All our advisors hold relevant financial qualifications and maintain continuous professional development to provide up-to-date mortgage market expertise.
How do you charge for services?
We provide transparent fee structures before starting work, with options including fixed fees, hourly rates, or commission-based arrangements depending on service type.
Can you help with first-time mortgages?
Yes, we specialise in guiding first-time buyers through mortgage options, deposit requirements, and government assistance schemes available in the current market.
What protection plans do you offer?
We provide life assurance, critical illness cover, income protection, and health insurance solutions to safeguard against financial risks and unexpected life events.
Reviews (7)
Julie Taylor
Oct 25, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Alan is the absolute best man for sorting out mortgage. Kind and patient who really cares about you the client. So touched that he asked about my family whose life changed dramatically. Thanks Alan for your outstanding support
Alan is the absolute best man for sorting out mortgage. Kind and patient who really cares about you the client. So touched that he asked about my family whose life changed dramatically. Thanks Alan for your outstanding support
Beata Tar
May 27, 2021
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I have been to City Gate 6 month ago to discuss my options, the detailed advice I got from Johnny helped me improve my chances of getting on the property ladder. He helped that much that now I am 3 weeks away from getting the keys to my first home. I am grateful for all the professional help, patience and support. I can not be thankful enough. I can only recommend Johnny and his team.
Bianca
May 16, 2021
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Would highly recommend Johnny and his team! They were great! They helped us with everything and explain all things very clear and they were always answering fast and good to all our questions. Thanks to them we could buy our first property! No problems at all, everything was smooth! Now we are just moving to our new house, very happy
Rebecca Amaechina
May 12, 2021
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Johnny was excellent from the very first meeting/ phone call. We couldnt have bought a home this year without his guidance and expert advice. I have recommended Johnny so many times and as I write this from my beautiful home he help me buy, I couldnt be more thankful! Also the people I recommended are now looking forward to moving to their new home! Hes a legend!
Marianna Carrero
May 09, 2021
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My sister bought her house a few years ago with City Gate Aberdeen. She recommeded it to one of her best friends and not long after she bought a house. I decided to buy a house on January and now I am going to collect the keys at the end of the month. Johnny and Shona definitely know how to make it happen. The whole process was absolutely stress free and easy! they will guide you through the entire process. I would recommend City Gate Aberdeen 100%.
En S.
May 08, 2021
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Critical:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Awful, just awful. We've let three dream houses slip by us during this incredible stressful process. Johnny and his team are INCAPABLE of being the least bit professional. If I could rate them anything less than a one star, I would! Save yourself the trouble, it's not worth the disappointment.
Awful, just awful. We've let three dream houses slip by us during this incredible stressful process. Johnny and his team are INCAPABLE of being the least bit professional. If I could rate them anything less than a one star, I would! Save yourself the trouble, it's not worth the disappointment.
Aneta Czapiewska
May 07, 2021
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Positive:Responsiveness
Great and hassle free experience, Johnny was very helpful and was quick at responding to any of my queries. Definitely recommend
Great and hassle free experience, Johnny was very helpful and was quick at responding to any of my queries. Definitely recommend
